1st XI vs St Lukes, 13th May Match Report

As Sushant Lall lay clutching his head after hitting the rock-hard outfield in the

process of taking a brilliantly-judged catch, he thankfully didn’t appear to have suffered any ill-effects. A few hours later as he brought up one of the most studious and un-Sunny half-centuries of his WCCC career, it seemed maybe there had been some

sort of mind-altering episode. Sadly, Lall’s composed innings of 52, and a sixth-wicket stand of 90 with Gopa, who made 36, was not enough to defeat St Luke’s, whose 54-run victory was their third out of three this season.

Set 242 to win, Corinthians were never truly in the chase against a highly disciplined St Luke’s attack who bowled ‘only’ 21 wides against the 36 conceded by WCCC’s bowlers.

Both openers went cheaply and when Ollie Brown went for an accomplished 31, WCCC were tottering on 87 for 5. Gopa and Lall got the innings back on track but they were unable to break the shackles fully.

Having won the toss, Corinthians were on top for periods of St Luke’s innings and reduced them to 162 for 6. But thanks to combination of sloppy out-cricket from Corinthians and an injection of urgency by the St Luke’s lower order, the home side were able to post a much more challenging total than had seemed likely.

Skipper Kunal Raghuwanshi was the pick of the WCCC bowlers, taking 3 for 37 from his nine overs to go with three smart catches. Ben Priest took two wickets while Tom Parkinson, Nadeeka Victor, Gopa & Clifford all took one each.